The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-02-11
The Story Of a Wreck.
Thrilling and Romantic Account Of
q Mutiny at Sea.
BY w. CLARK RUSSELL.

said |.
And l went below to get the things
required. leaving my seXtant on deck
to show them that meant to be hon.
est.
When 1 returned. they were all
around the skylight. gazing at the SEX
tant as though it We're an animal: no
man taking the liberty to touch il,
however.
They came. hustling each other about
me Is | sat on the skyiight working out
my figures, and | promise you their
proximity. coupled with my notion that
they might suspect l had been deceiv-
ing them. did not sharpen my wits SO
IL TO expedite NV calculations.
! carried two reckonings in nv head
the false and the true: and. finding
our actual whereabouts to be ninety
eight miles from Bermuda. the islands
bearing weSt-southwest. as straight As
line. | unfo!ded the chart, and. Civ
ing them the imaginary longitude and
latitude. put my finger upon the spot
We were supposed to have reached.
exclaiming:
NOW YOU can see where we are.
jus. make a small mark there
with your pencil. will you?' said John
son: "then all hands can have 4 look.
/ did so and quilted the skylight.
surrcndering the chart to the men. who
made a strange picture as they stood
poring over it. pointing with their
brown foretingers and arguing.
There's no question 1 can answer,
is there?" said | to the carpenter.
mates. is there any thing YOU want
TO say TO Mr.. Royle?" he exclaimed.
when are we going to heave the
ship to?' asked Fish.
That's Tor You TO answer" l re-
joined.
Well. I'm for not standin' too close
inShore.' said Fish.
How fur off DO vou say is this here
Florida coaSt?" asked johnson.
About sixty miles. Look at the
chart"
And every minute brings us near
ar,'' said man.
That's true I replied But Won
don I want to leave the ship before
dusk. do you?"
though they were not sure that they
ought To contide so much To ME As an
answer to NV question would involve
| particularly took notice OF this. and
felt how thoroughly was put aside by
then: in their intentions.
The carpenter said: You'll under
stand our arrangements by and by.
Mr.. Royle. How the wind?"
About north. said |.
MATES. shall we bring the varls TO
the masts and Keep the ieeches liftin
till were ready 10 stop her?"
The best thing rs can happen"
said johnson.
she Ii lie to the west ard at that.
and Il look to be sailin' properly if q
vessel sights her: and she'll MAKE no
Roadway. neither" said Stevens.
You can't do better" | exclaimed
So the helm was put Gown. and Is
the men went to work | descended 10
ny cabin.
The stewards head was ct the pantry
door. and l called to him: Bring ME
:; biscuit and the sherry"
| wanted neither. but l had some
thing to say To him. and ii Stevens
saw him some to my cabin with tray
in his hand he was not likely to follow
and listen al the door.
The steward put the tray down and
Vas going away. when | took him by
the arm and led him to the extremity
OF the cabin
DO you value your life?'' said to
him in 4 whisper.
He stared ii me and turned pale.
In the fewest possible words | de-
tailed to him the plan the men had
formed Of scuttling the ship and leav-
ing rs on board. | told him the ar
rangements We had perfected for de-
Tending our lives and let him under
stand that his only hope was 10 assist
Us in every way he could. As had
anticipated. he was entirely unneryed
for the time. But knew that towards
sometimes make the most terrible
antagonists.
The noon hour came and the men
went to dinner The quiet was so pro-
found that il seemed almost is though
the ship was deserted
IL CHANGING through the skylight l
saw Mary Robertson looking up a. me.
/ leaned forward, so that my face was
concealed from the man at the wheel
the only person on deck besides my
self-ani whispered:
keep up your courage. and be ready
to act as may direct
Il am quite ready" she answered.
'Remain in YOUR cabin. | said.
land don't let the men see YOU for il
had flashed upon me that if the crew
saw her they might force her to 90
along with them in the boats.
II wanted little brandy for papa"
she answered. He is very poorly and
weak. and rambles terribly in his
talk
She turned to hide her tears from
ms, and prevent ME witnessing her
struggles to restrain them. She would
feel their impotence. the mockery of
them. at such Z time; besides, dear
heart. she would think | should dis
trust her courage if she let me see her
weep.
The steward came forward under
the skyiight as she entered her cabin,
and said:
Il will fight for my life, sir
That is nay advice to YOU
Il will do my best | have been
thinking of my wife and child. SIR
''HUsh' | cried. Not SO loud. II
Your courage fails you, there is a girl
in that cabin there who will show YOU
how to be brave. Remember two
thincs-act quickly and strike hard: |
and, for God ; sake. don't fall to drink I.
ing to pull up your nerves, If find |
You drunk, ! viii call upon the men to |
drown you.'
And with this injunction l left the |